CRYSTAL | MISS ME, DARLINGS?

[illithidnapped]

FORM: sending crystals, during the truth event, you know what to do
SENDER: your favorite rogue, Astarion xoxo
RECIPIENT: as always, everyone
NOTES: if you drank Truth Soup, cough up your feelings; if you didn't drink the soup, make it worse for everyone, I dare you

[Someone's bored tonight. And it's been over a year since the last time he felt restlessness stirring him into needling action— particularly when he's noticed a couple of blurted-out confessions running high and harsh in the air. He could sleuth around. Sniff about for any signs of volatile tampering (or ask if this is just the next phase of whatever sleepless affliction's still nipping at everyone's collective heels)....

But this is so much more fun.

Anyway— ahem, and all that:]

Name one thing you like about someone else in Riftwatch. Anything. Anything at all.

Bonus points if you feel like getting weird with it.

[And don't think he's generous enough to actually start this game himself: that, you're all going to have to do on your own.

Or maybe just ask nicely.]

Comments

[doggish]

Yup? That's the summation of your response?

[Abby, come on now. You can do better.]

[armd]

What the fuck am I supposed to say to that!

(ARE YOU SUGGESTING SHE SAY THANK YOU????????)

[doggish]

You could return the compliment.

[It's admittedly not a good suggestion, but it is a suggestion. He's being helpful.]

It's not as if it's incorrect, is it?

[armd]

I don't want to. (That is the truth!

And,) ... Thanks. (Not as if all of Riftwatch is only now finding out that she's ripped. Whatever.) You don't have to be so nice to me, you know.

[doggish]

I know. I do not do it out of charity. I like you, and I tend to attempt to be nice to those I like.

Is it such an inconceivable notion?

1/??

[armd]

Yes.

[armd]

(Wait.)

I mean (no-) yes.

[armd]

Yes.

DONE

[armd]

I give up!

[doggish]

[Oh, he chuckles, but it's not ill-meant.]

Why?

I'm fond of you. I can tell you why, if you wish, but tell me first why it is so baffling.

. . . though in fairness, I am not unfamiliar with the feeling of being bewildered at friendship. Or kindness, or the affection of others. It's . . . difficult to accept at times, especially if you have spent most of your life steeling yourself to its absence. I did not have friends until I hit my thirties.

[There's a pause and a little displeased mmm noise, but also, like, what can any of them do right now?]

[armd]

(Oh. Abby makes little mmm sounds in agreement, bookending everything he's saying. He's hit the nail on the head and he's saying it in a way that doesn't sound pathetic. It's baffling because why would you be kind to somebody like me; after all I've done. That might ring true to her, but-

She sighs, and runs a hand over her face. Hard to say something like that out loud. She knows what it sounds like.) ... I had some before I came here but I don't think any of them liked me very much. (Not in the end, anyway. But she didn't act in ways worth liking.

She mumbles,) I wanna be friends with you though. (god how EMBARRASSING)